"Free"k Show

     As expected, the NBA free agent bargaining period opened to a flurry of activities, and while the "Big Three," of Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh have all not signed up yet, it has already become a freak show, with things bordering on the ludicrous taking place.  Here is just a sampling of the circus.


Too Much of a Good Thing

     Every year, some poor team throws too much money at some talented yet undeserving free agent in fear of not getting anyone.  This year, with a huge pool of free agents came a huge amount of head-scratching deals as well.  Just check out this list:


Darko Milicic (Minnesota Timberwolves): Four year deal, at least $ 16 million guaranteed
Amir Johnson (Toronto Raptors): Five year deal, $ 34 million
Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies): Five year deal, $ 80 million 
Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks): Six year deal, $ 119 million


     Now, I love the talent all these players have, and my fervent hope of Darko redemption is unparalleled, but that's a whole lot of money for guys who haven't or will not do as much on the court as that money will on their teams' salary cap.  Sure, big men are hard to find, but Milicic and (Amir) Johnson's upside is worth a lot less.  They're not exactly coveted by numerous suitors.  As for Gay and JJ, they may be franchise players on their current teams, but the max money they're getting are for franchise players on championship teams, not middling teams struggling in playoff situations.  



Extreme Courtship


     Everyone knows that Lebron James puts up franchise player numbers, whether on the court or in merchandising and ticket sales, so the numerous suitors are to be expected.  What is getting freaky though, is how much trouble teams are going through right now.  So far these have been done all in the name of LBJ.


New York:  Owner Jim Dolan and GM Donnie Walsh fly to Cleveland in a G4 private jet, despite Walsh needing a WHEELCHAIR since he is having neck issues.  Broadway singers sang 26 reason for Lebron to stay.  A sandwich with 5 (!) pounds of meat was named after him and several fans actually went ahead and ate it.  

New Jersey:  Owner Mikhail Prokhorov and Jay Z tried to impress LBJ by attacking the Knicks,.  Fisrt, they bought a wall in front of the Knicks offices which featured both of the owners, talking about blueprint for success.  Then, the uber -rich pair flew in a G5 jet and then proceeded to lecture James on how they will make him even more money than he already has.  Jay Z offered to produce a Lebron-line of clothing and fragrances and Prokhorov has vowed to help Lebron reach global fame by virtue of the Russian's connections in Russia and China.


Cleveland:  Aside from hosting a Lebron James day, Cleveland also created a cartoon done in Family Guy style (James' favorite cartoon) and then organized a "fan tunnel" where hundreds of fans lined up to wait for James to arrive at the IMG building, some holding signs while some throwing powder in the air just like him.

Chicago:  The Bulls played it cool when GM John Paxson and company talked to James, bringing no audio visual aids, but Chicago-based ad agency Leo Burnett started a daring pitch, even risking the ire of legend Michael Jordan.  First they send a box of Jordan's old shoes with a dare of "Try to fill these shoes."  Then, a second package was a set of 7 empty ring boxes, daring him to, "fill these boxes." Finally, the agency sent in a mock up of the Chicago Tribune set 10 years in the future with the headline, "Sweet Throne: Chicago: With Title no. 7, It's Officially King James' Court." (source: Ball Don't Lie)


     With the free agency far from over, the circus is probably in for a few more riotous acts.  We should all stay tuned.  


pictures courtesy of Ball Don't Lie, Getty Images